The Gracious Two - LIVE Show 083 - Sean "Memphis" Hennesy

The Gracious Two, Chad Gracey & John JRo Rotolo discuss the hypocrisy of politicians, specifically mentioning Gavin Newsom’s actions during the COVID-19 lockdown. They argue that the mainstream media’s lack of coverage of these incidents contributes to the public’s confusion and disbelief. The hosts express frustration with people who refuse to acknowledge the truth and engage in constructive dialogue.

The podcast shifts to political topics, including the business dealings of Jared Kushner and Hunter Biden, and the use of Signal. It also touches on the release of Benghazi files and the possibility of Hillary Clinton’s immunity. The discussion then shifts to Sean "Memphis" Hennesy’s musical career, his time with Candlebox, The Gracious Few, LiVe and his subsequent involvement with Royal Bliss.

Memphis discusses his current career path, playing in tribute bands and finding success in the nostalgia market for classic rock music. They highlight the financial viability of tribute bands, catering to older audiences who crave the sound of their youth. Sean also shares a humorous but scary anecdote about choking on a guitar pick during a live performance and having to undergo a procedure to remove it.

Sean Memphis Hennesy recounts a harrowing incident where a guitar pick lodged in his throat during a performance. Thankfully, the pick was dislodged and the show continued. The guitarist also discusses their preferred thumb pick, a unique style they adopted two years prior, and their experience recording a pivotal album amidst personal struggles.

Sean recounts his experiences touring with Kevin Martin and the challenges of maintaining a positive attitude amidst the stress and exhaustion of the road. They discuss the dynamics of touring, noting that while it can be fun, it often involves a lot of work and individual personalities that can clash. The speaker also reflects on the impact of touring on personal relationships and the need for balance and self-care.

The podcast then discusses the challenges of managing a busy schedule with a young child, including the need for “dummy checks” to avoid leaving items behind. It also touches on the benefits of having time alone, the joys and chaos of large families, and the musical talents of the Sean’s son.

Memphis discusses his son’s musical abilities and his own songwriting career. He highlights his collaboration with a songwriting partner, Brian, and their success in writing theme songs for Nickelodeon, including “Super Duper Bunny League” and “Happy Sappy Summer Song.” Mr. Hennesy also shares his family’s artistic legacy, tracing his lineage back to his great-grandfather, Hugh Hennesy, a layout artist for Disney, and his grandfather, Dale Hennesy, who contributed to the design of Main Street and Tomorrowland at Disneyland.

Sean also recounts his father’s career at Disney, starting as a model builder and eventually becoming a head writer for EPCOT. The father’s work extended to Tokyo DisneySea, where he remains a celebrity. Memphis aims to continue the family legacy with a Disney pitch.

Sean and a friend, Brian, are working on a project called Rock a Bye Daddy, which involves composing music for children’s shows. They aim to secure contracts where they can be paid to compose music for specific shows or episodes. They have received positive feedback and are hopeful to continue pursuing this opportunity.

The conversation discusses strategies for handling mistakes on stage, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a positive and entertaining performance. It highlights the value of improvisation and audience engagement, contrasting it with negative reactions to mistakes. The discussion also touches on "The Gracious Few" album, noting its creation amidst personal challenges and the band’s desire to rock again.

The podcast will return on Sunday with a paranormal investigation featuring the SoCal Spirit Seekers. The hosts will be joined by the Seekers for a ghost hunt. The audience is thanked and encouraged to like, share, follow and subscribe.